The National Association of Liberated Tigers (NALT) has called on African nations to embrace deeper democratic values beyond the routine conduct of elections, warning that many countries risk sliding into “elected autocracies.”
NALT International President, Obinna Amoke, made the call in a post-convention statement following the group’s convention in Enugu themed “Social Movement, Social Justice and the Future of Democracy.”
Amoke described Nigeria as one of the most politically challenged nations in the world, plagued by corruption, abuse of incumbency, poverty, and religious intolerance. He argued that while many African governments use elections to justify democracy, the true essence of democratic governance—justice, equality, and accountability remains elusive.
“Democracy should provide a pathway to addressing inequalities and ending corruption. Sadly, in many countries, this dream has not materialised,” Amoke said.
Also speaking, Dr Obi Nweze, one of the group’s founding fathers, urged members to remain committed to NALT’s ideals, including supporting the needy. He announced reforms within the association, including the abolition of zonal representatives and the requirement for chapters to publish financial reports every two months.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Chukwuemeka Eze, Director of Democratic Futures in Africa at the Open Society Foundations, stressed that social justice is the lifeblood of democracy. He cautioned against Nigeria drifting into a one-party system and urged NALT members to advocate for open democratic spaces.
“I have defended democracy all my life because it remains the political system most conducive to peace, sustainable development, rule of law, and respect for human rights,” Eze said, noting that declining voter turnout and mistrust in political institutions were troubling global trends.
Chief Cassidy Madueke, NALT’s Director of Media and Strategic Communication, explained that the convention interrogated the link between socio-economic and political issues in Nigeria’s social movements. He said the programme focused on the downtrodden, widows, widowers, and indigent youths, with support provided through medical outreach, free drugs, food items, and cash donations.
The convention, he added, reaffirmed NALT’s commitment to promoting social justice and strengthening democratic ideals across Africa.
